New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-18
TIE ALDERMEN AND ELECTRIC LIGHTS


MAYOR HEWITT GIVES MR.. BOWLING SOME AID
vIcE-MR. OAKLEY TALKS or REsIGNING.
Tho Aldermen yesterday debated for two hours the
question whether not to grant franchises to all the
electric light companies who have applied for them
Before the meeting Of the Board Mayor Hewitt sent for
Alderman bowling the chairman OF the Law Committee,
who has been largely instrumental In preventing action
on the applications Of the new electric light com panie:
Tor franchises The Mayor told Mr. Downing plainly tna!
the action OF the Aldermen creating scandal and
that he desired that something should be done to remove
this impression. II something OF this KIND were not
DONE the Mayor proposed to endeavor to ascertain what
motive induced the Aldermen to take the course when
they were following Soon after the Board met Pres
dent Beekman offered resolution that permission be
gwen TO all companies who have made application to the
Aldermen TO erect poles and string wires subject 70 the
regulations of the subway Commission. Mr. Beekman
said that he offered the resolution at tho request OF e
sion desired its passage in order that the contract Tor
electric lighting might be awarded to the lowest bidder,
and the city relieved from the exOrbitaD demands or the
monoposts who have heretofore had control OF electric
lighting This action was not taken with the Intention
except Afford the city free and fai competition the
Dds Tor electric lights The rights OF inc ciy wo be
subway Commission Mr. Beekman asked that the SUB.
jeet be not buried in committee but that the Board vote
Coonri Mooney asked that the resolution be sent to
the Committee on Lamps and Gas o..,o.
but believed it would be well to give the Law COMMITTEES
an opportunity to report He moved aaat h aw COM
mtee be instructed to report on ina. day ys comn.on
already had would result in saving TO the city OF
sos 600 year II the companies obtained the privileges
they asked the saving would probably amount "
$4,000 year. ,,,,
Colonel Mooney was surprised thatMr Conkling should
take stand as he had voted against tho East RIVER
and Harlem companies, which had been the cause o,
saving this largo amount OF the citys money ne Woa
opposed to giving franchises companies in order to en-
ablh them to 10 into the market ana oi"ekai' o'"s
Mr. Oakley had read the articles in the newspapers al
cgng that doodle entered into the matter ne was
in favor granting these franchises but he was also 70
favor OF fair play OF the newspapers Induced
him to against them. He said
newspapers investigate the charges they nave
mado II there ANYTHING In them VIII resign any
how the newspapers keep banging away AZ % u9y
there has been ..y aaT rsh, TIA,
should suffer demand play. CHALLENGE any nveS s
CATION stand independent man. am an h%neS. hI
clamor long know right hope the committee
VIII have opportunity OF reporting on next Fr"ay'
Colonel Mooney said that tho Aldermen were AZ capa
BILE OF Judging OF tho standing OF the companies as the
Mr. Walker saId that he favored compelling tho compa-
nes To promise furnish light to private persons q,
cheaply TO the city. lie offered an amendment u "'
Mr. Bowling said that the resolution offered by Pres
dent Beoknan would In effect smut ont a." Ma hefore
light companies except two from putting IN pus
the Gas Commission lie had Inferred rom his GAIN ~
Ba would he awarded contracts they being the lowest
bidders lie hal asked the manager OF ono coInpnn',
who hal nromised TO give light at twenty-five cents
lIbt per night N he would agree furnish ght to pr-
yata consumers at forty cents light per night anu ne
had refused II any company would agree 10 'ni' "o
would ~ vote for giving II franchise, oor,os
Mr. Farrell offered an amendment that all companies
he included i'm the resolution whether they had maze az
plcaton OF not This amendment was lost by inc Io'-
lowing vote: 49,,
Vo,s pre.,lcnt Rsekman. Aldermen Conkling. Farrell
GoefL John Murray Quinn sanford and Van
Nays-Aldermcn Bennett COVE, lowing rSsv lev
ala Flynn Holland, Long. Mooney Joseph Mur'sS' O"'
Smith Iait and WAker-lA
Then after considerable debate. Mr. walkers ainen'
ment was carried. as follows:
Yea. Me.sr. Bennett, Cowie, Downg Farrell fiISc'
FITZGERALD Flynn. Goek. Holland Long Mooney O1A'eS'
Smith TAFT and Nalker-l5 ,-,,,.. roh, Nur.
~ }aseph MURRAY Quinn, Sanford aud Van kehsseec
Il
Colo,ol uooncy, amendment refer TO the Con- NIT
Toe on ann. ana Gas was carried by vote OF 10 to o